January 13, 2025 – This documentary movie directed by Shiori Itō details Shiori's own struggle to find justice after being raped by a man with political connections in 2015. What followed were at least seven years of lawsuits and counter-suits, a book, and lots of controversies.

Shiori, a journalist, was allegedly raped in 2015 by Noriyuki Yamaguchi, who was the Washington, D.C. bureau chief for the Tokyo Broadcasting System TV network, and a biographer of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Shiori reported the rape to police, who advised her not to press charges because that would ruin her reputation.

According to the movie, Japan's 100+ year-old rape law is tough for accusers because, “Rape can only be proven in cases of severe physical violence or threats, not by lack of consent.” The movie also says that only about four per cent of rapes are reported to authorities by Japanese women victims.

Unlike most Japanese rape victims, Shiori went public with her accusations. The police reportedly had an arrest warrant for Yamaguchi, but the arrest was called off at the last minute, and he was never arrested or charged. Shiori was widely accused of being a prostitute, or a slut, or an opportunist, seeking to advance her career in journalism through sexual favors, perhaps because she is beautiful. She endured a lot of stress because of this.

Shiori persisted, despite the lack of criminal charges against Yamaguchi. In the movie, she says, her pursuit of this matter is guided by her career as a journalist. She wrote a book, “Black Box” about her dealings with rape laws in Japan. Black box is a term used to refer to sealed police records. Shiori also filed a civil lawsuit against Yamaguchi, who filed a counter-suit against her for defamation. The cases went on until at least 2022.

The controversies surrounding the Black Box book and documentary included accusations of violations of attorney-client privilege, the use of video (including security camera footage) without permission and the recording of phone conversations without permission. The controversies include disputes between Shiori and her own lawyer.

Shiori's rape investigations, lawsuits and attempts to get criminal prosecution of Yamaguchi became a part of the “Me Too” movement. One of Shiori's goals is to get the rape law in Japan changed. The movie covers the time from 2015 to some of the final rulings on appeals in the Japanese court system of her suit against Yamaguchi, seven years later and beyond.

The movie also follows the highs and lows of Shiori's long emotional journey, including what appears to be her attempted suicide. She cries in several scenes, and also celebrates her victories. It is quite a compelling journey. This movie rates an A.

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